SCOUSER in exile is preaching the beautiful game in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

SCOUSER in exile is preaching the beautiful game in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

David Price from Norris Green is the coach of the New York Freedoms football team in the American third division and has also set up the Storm football academy, which played against two of Everton's youth teams as part of a short British tour this month.

The 32-year-old, who moved to America 13 years ago, has played professionally for Doncaster and Bolton, as well as captaining the New Jersey Imperials, St John's University and Long Island Rough Riders across the pond.

David certainly needed all of his experience when the Freedoms played the mighty Juventus in New York recently.

The Serie A giants put out a full-strength team as part of their pre-season tour and David said he couldn't help but be in awe of them.

"They had the likes of Trezeguet, Del Piero and Nedved playing for them, and when I looked across the pitch there was Marcello Lippi as the opposing coach which was something else. I managed to get Edgar Davids' shirt as he came off which is going on my wall, just to cap the day.

"It was certainly the highlight of my coaching career and both the players and I enjoyed the match tremendously."David said football is thriving in New York and he is delighted to bring that enthusiasm back to his home city.

"I set the academy up two years ago for kids aged 14-19 and we have done well in America, winning the national championship last year and finishing runners-up this time, while I also coach the Freedoms so football is full-time work for me," he added.

"In our team we have a real mix of backgrounds with play-ers of Italian heritage, Spanish heritage, even Ecuadorian heritage, so when you throw in a guy from Liverpool as well, it is a true melting pot.

"I decided I wanted to see how good the players are by pitting them against some of the best teams in England so we have played Blackburn, Coventry, Charlton, Bolton and Everton.

"I always love coming home, but to do it with the football being involved is even better."Storm's under-16s did exceptionally well, beating Charlton 2-1, Coventry 5-2 and Everton 2-0 before losing to Blackburn 4-3.

The under-15s also enjoyed some notable successes, beating Charlton 6-0 and Bolton 6-1 before losing 6-2 against Everton and 2-1 at Blackburn.

David said: "It has been a tremendous experience for them just to be over here and to compete against some exceptional young players, including Everton's youngsters who were real ambassadors for the club. The level of commitment over here is something they will not get at home and so it can only be a positive thing for them to see that for themselves.

"They will also have got a lot out of it by doing things like just walking around Liverpool or going on the ground tour at Anfield for instance and will be full of stories to take back to their friends and families."

Considering football - or soccer - is perceived to be very much a minority sport in America, David believes the future is a bright one.

"It is definitely the biggest youth sport in the United States right now and there is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for the game among the kids," he said.

"I think over the next five to eight years that will develop into the Major Soccer League becoming a very good league with a high standard. You already have players like Tim Howard and Brad Friedal making their mark in the Premiership, but that will increase because the youth system in the States is very good.

"There is a lot of top class coaching and financial support, and when America puts money into anything it is usually successful. They are throwing money into football right now."

He added: "While we were here I also watched a few coaching sessions myself and will be taking one or two things back with me, while a lot of academy directors are keen to set up links with Storm because they see America as the next big thing for player development. It is still untapped but there is tremendous potential."

Despite his decade and more living in America, David still has fond memories of his Liverpool roots.

"I went to Cardinal Heenan school and also played for Merseyside Boys for two years with the likes of Billy Kenny who went on to have a professional career," he recalled.

"Certainly there were alot of great players in those teams and we had some great times which is something I will always remember."